Taxes and Budget Good Jobs First finds business subsidies contribute to racial and wealth inequality For years, research organization Good Jobs First has been at the forefront of examining the impacts of using public money to subsidize wealthy corporations. Now in a […] Maura Pillsbury Posted September 7, 2023 Tags Budget, Inequality, Racial Equity, Tax Breaks, Taxes
Jobs and Income Wednesday Sit-Down: Minimum wage for Maine farm workers Arthur Phillips from the Maine Center for Economic Policy sat down with CBS13 to discuss minimum wage for farm workers in Maine. Click here to watch the […] Fox 23 Posted August 2, 2023 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Minimum Wage, Racial Equity, Wages, Wednesday Sit Down
Jobs and Income Worker wins and setbacks in the 2023 legislative sessions In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been steady gains in the overall output of Maine’s economy and workforce, employment levels, and wages for people […] James Myall Posted July 31, 2023 Tags Budget, Direct Care Work, Economic Security, Fair Scheduling, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Overtime, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Wages
Jobs and Income Janet Mills vetoes bill to cover farmworkers under Maine’s minimum wage The Maine AFL-CIO, a coalition of labor unions, said the veto “carries on the historical stain and stench of exploitation and racial exclusion.” The liberal Maine Center […] Bangor Daily News Posted July 20, 2023 Tags Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Wages
Jobs and Income ‘Embarrassing and shameful’: Advocates blast Mills’ veto of farmworker rights bill “Continuing the current system of sub-minimum wages for farmworkers means that about one quarter of Maine’s agricultural workers will continue to live in poverty,” said Arthur Phillips, […] Beacon Posted July 20, 2023 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Minimum Wage, Racial Equity, Wages
Health Care Statement from the All Means All Campaign on LD 199 AUGUSTA – Organizations supporting the All Means All campaign to allow all income-qualified Mainers to access MaineCare, regardless of age or immigration status, issued the following statement […] Posted June 28, 2023 Tags Health Care, Immigration, Inequality
Maine’s Economy, Taxes and Budget About that tax ranking… Note: Updated April 15, 2024 As lawmakers debate tax credits, cuts, and subsidies, we often hear Maine’s tax policy compared with other states. State-by-state rankings and “listicles” […] MECEP Posted May 30, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Tax Credit, EITC, Income Tax, Inequality, Property Tax, Racial Equity, Sales Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Tax Havens, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Legislators can build on Governor’s change package to boost economic vitality for Maine families Governor Mills’ budget change package — which amends her prior budget proposal to align with more current revenue projections — lays a solid foundation for Maine. It […] Josie Phillips Posted May 18, 2023 Tags Budget, Child Care, Child Tax Credit, Housing, Inequality, Revenue, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Jobs and Income Pay transparency promotes equality and empowers workers During the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mainers have increasingly recognized the value of their labor and demanded to be paid fairly. Workers in traditionally low-wage occupations, […] James Myall Posted May 4, 2023 Tags Incomes, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages
Jobs and Income ‘We’re responsible for the history we make:’ Lawmakers push for migrant labor rights Maine is not the only state where lawmakers are trying to expand rights for farmworkers. Currently, 12 states guarantee collective bargaining rights to such workers. And in […] Beacon Posted April 19, 2023 Tags Economic Security, Immigration, Inequality, Job Quality, Jobs, Wages